New Bahraini private airline to be set up

A group of Bahraini and Saudi investors will set up an $80-million private airline in Bahrain next year, according to a press statement published Monday. The airline, which will only fly short-haul,

A group of Bahraini and Saudi investors will set up an $80-million private airline in Bahrain next year, according to a press statement published Monday.

The airline, which will only fly short-haul, has been approved in principle by the Bahraini authorities on the condition that it does not adversely effect Gulf Air, the statement quoted the source close to the shareholders as saying.

For this reason, its routes will only be regional, the source said, adding that the new airline will not be launched before April next year.

Gulf Air is jointly owned by the governments of Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Oman.

Founded in 1950 and today covering 45 cities in 33 countries, Gulf Air last year launched a three-year strategic recovery program. (menareport.com)